Michelle Obama Lets her Hair Loose in Saudi

Looks like Michelle Obama was having a tough time acclimatizing to Saudi conditions, where the air for breathing free for women is rather sparse, immediately after her trip to the Nari Shakti themed Republic Day parade in India.

Just a day ago, Obama told us why he is so proud of his wife. “Michelle is not afraid to speak her mind or tell me when I am wrong.” And right after, Michelle’s pertinaciousness was put to test. And sure enough, she stepped up to the plate.

She unveiled herself at the gateway of her Air Force One airplane in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, wearing a loose pant suit and a long-sleeved jacket. Quite literally. She was visiting to pay her respects to Late Kind Abdulla Abdulla, with US President Barack Obama. Yet, Saudi Arabia looked at her as though she had had a wardrobe malfunction- for the head scarf mandated for a Saudi Woman- whose existence is bound by the first and last clause of the Sharia- was missing on her head.

Foreigners are given the leeway to not follow this rule, and many choose to avail that provision. Michelle was one of them too, yet the Saudis seemed appalled. While many chose not to shake her hand in what could be seen as a sign of protest, the twiterrati of the Kingdom lashed out on her no holds barred. The hashtag #MichelleObama Unveiled was trending,  as the Daily Mail noted that she "pulls faces," and is "is not impressed," that she "does not look happy to be meeting Saudi king as members of his entourage refuse to shake her hand.” King Salman, King Abdulla’s Hal-brother and now successor, refused to even acknowledge her.

Michelle Obama in Saudi Arabia
Picture By: Daily Mail

A number of media outlets reported that Saudi TV blurred out Michelle Obama's face at the ceremony.  Yet, a CNN report, which was later tweeted out by Saudi Officials, said that the footage was aired with no such effects. According to Mother Jones, it was the person who uploaded the video to YouTube who obscured her face.

Unfortunately, this is not the only impractical rule that the women are bound by. For instance, this innately patriarchal land forbids its women from getting behind the wheel even, if they are unescorted by a male family member. And the same male nod is required in decisions of their education, marriage and pretty much every other distinct phase of their life.

One could say that Michelle Obama is a style icon. She has made nutritious living- Exhibit A, her own toned arms- her turf. And she does so complementing it with perfect grace and élan and her forever glamorous stature that she chooses to achieve through her impeccable wardrobe.  Sometimes, all it takes is one spark, to set a forest afire.

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